Cannabis eases pain, survey says

Since cannabis received Schedule I status in 1970, clinical research regarding its therapeutic benefits has been as hard to find in the U.S. as a bank that’ll give you a business loan for a dispensary. A new survey from the Aloha State suggests that the overwhelming majority of patients using medical marijuana to treat pain find the herb helpful.

Researchers in Hawaii hand-delivered surveys to 100 patients who were renewing their certification for medical cannabis use. Ninety-seven percent of the patients, who were about 50 years old, reported using the drug to ease their pain. Most of them—64 percent—said it worked.

Half of all cannabis users surveyed reported relief from stress and 45 percent reported that the drug helped with insomnia. Most patients (71 percent) reported no adverse side effects from smoking cannabis. Six percent reported a cough or throat irritation. No adverse side effects were reported.

The survey report concludes: “This results suggest that Cannabis is an extremely safe and effective medication for many chronic pain patients. Cannabis appears to alleviate pain, insomnia and may be helpful in relieving anxiety.”

“Cannabis has shown extreme promise in the treatment of numerous medical problems and deserves to be released from the current Schedule I federal prohibition against research and prescription,” according to the report.